Chapter 2

2244

"So, Mr. Masov, how did this happen?"

Dr Justin Monroe had just entered the patients little cot in the hospitals emergency ward, looking partly at his notes and partly at his patient.

Justin sat down opposite to him on a small stool with a friendly smile. The man opposite of him was elderly but robust, someone who spent his retirement in the nature and the doctor knew it would take Mr. Masov several weeks until his broken leg had healed again and he could return to the forest.

"You know, at your age, you might consider being a little less reckless out there in the woods."

The old man chuckled.

"But Doctor, I wasn't even reckless. Well not today, at least. I keep telling you, there was something moving around in the woods, like a giant invisible robot or something. It clipped off the trees as if they were matches. Big chunks fell from the sky."

"Yes, I am sure it was, Mr. Masov." He said friendly, while examining the legs.

"If it is as you said, Mr Masov, then you were at least very lucky to get away with just this leg. It should heal just fine within a couple of weeks, unless you decide to join an acrobatics team. Or continue ducking from falling trees."

"I'll do my best, Doctor."

Justin stood up and gave a medtech some instructions before returning to the corridor outside. As he stepped outside, he still had a grin on his face.

"Anything funny?" Dr Ling asked as he walked by with a cup of coffee in the right hand.

"No, just an old man who told me that monsters falling from the sky, massacring trees."

"Monsters, eh? We lie heavy on the supernatural front today."

Justin shrugged and nodded his head confusedly.

"Just had a forester in – aliens have invaded the forest nearby, did you know. They have a secret base there planning an intergalactic war."

"Well, see - that's what we're missing, Pavel, while we're kept prison here by the evil witch. Aliens, monsters, all kinds of fun, all we have is an evil witch."

Both laughed a little, as only fellow sufferers could, at least those who hadn't had any proper rest in the last 30 hours.

"Having a laugh here, gentlemen?" a deep, rough voice asked and they both instantly stopped.

"It's nothing Dr. King."

"Good, then I'll assume you can be returning to work then?" Dr. King asked with a sour note.

"Yes, Dr."

"It pleases me to hear that, Dr. Monroe. So why don't you take care of this man here?" She pointed at a tiny, slim man with a large head, looking as if he just had received the beating of his life. And as if he had been sitting and waiting on the sickbed in the corridor for hours.

"Yes. Of course. I'll be right at it."

"Good. Dr. Ling you're with me." Dr. King nodded strictly and left with Pavel behind. Justin grinned as his friend shot him a pained glance.

2265

Kadenn lived in a great mansion in the north of the city, as it was expected of a woman of her status. Delenn had only been there a few times, and vaguely recognised the house as she stepped out of the transporter. She had only spoken to Kadenn a few times, too, but her she could remember excellently.

The door was opened by one of Kadenn's assistants, who let her in with a respectful bow. Delenn was shown into a large room and the assistant left her. She had been waiting for a good half hour as she heard footsteps approach and an elderly but still tall and graceful woman entered the room. Delenn wondered how old she was, she knew that she had been older than Dukhat's parents and he himself had always looked much younger than his years.

"Delenn of Mir. Such an unexpected visit."

"Kadenn." Delenn bowed formally to both and received a slight nod in response.

"So you come to these parts of the city now?"

"I am sorry I have not come to see you more often."

"It is perfectly understandable. You are otherwise engaged. Please sit down."

It was not said as a question, and Delenn tried to smile to cover her awkwardness.

She showed her a seat and Delenn sat down, as the elderly woman regarded her with stifled apprehension. Kadenn had never liked her - she tolerated her to stay loyal to Dukhat, but never crossed the line to friendliness to appease the other members of her family.

"I hope you are doing well?"

"Yes, but I hope you have not come here to merely discuss our health."

"Eh – no. That is true. I – I have-…I came across Dukhat's personal log once again, well…"

Kadenn impatiently raised a non-existing eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"Well, I have however come across some inconsistencies that I wanted to ask you about?"

"And it would be?"

"There seems to be a part that is missing."

"I told you I gave you everything that I had. Yet you come to my house and question me?"

"No, Kadenn, I am sorry, I do not question you. I simply noted that there are over three months missing in his log, and I wanted to know if there might have been a technical flaw or maybe they are stored somewhere else or …"

"As I just said, you have been given everything. Typically, for you,that is not enough."

"Please Kadenn, I just want to know what happened. I think it is very unusual for him, that there is so much missing. He always kept a diary."

"When was this?"

"In the fall of 2244."

Kadenn leaned back, closing her eyes halfway.

"Yes, I remember. I do not know where the log is, I doubt there evenwas one. I remember however, that he was away at that time. On one of his little trips. He never spoke a word of where he had been. But when he returned, he was changed."

Chapter 2 turned up a little later than expected, sorry for that, I had a hell of a week. Hope to post Ch. 3 soon.

I hope you enjoy the ride so far - any comments/thoughts etc, - I'd love'em!